Midtown Lunch

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

A while back I reported on Bull Moose Saloon’s new look: An attempt at a hip revamping of an old-man dive bar into a burgundy velvet lounge. At the time I noticed that the work was done on the cheap and the feel was still very much the same despite the new couches and cocktail tables. It turns out there was much, much more going on behind the scenes then just a remodel. Word is the decision to cater to the surrounding nabes sizable LGBT community provoked some manner of internal conflict between the owner and the new partners. A statement on the  Bull Moose website created by the new partners reads:

“We’ve always had one intention from day one – to create a new hub for all walks of life to share memories with one another that would last a lifetime. Unfortunately, New York City is not as progressive as we had assumed. A difficult partner knew full well going into the venture that the transformation of the venue would be open to gays, lesbians, bisexual, transgender and straight individuals alike. To our painful dismay, we were hit with a bottom line only two weeks into the project.”

I walked by Bull Moose Saloon recently and saw banners claiming, “Under New Management.” I assume this is owner Dave Sheeran attempt at distancing himself from the drama of the past months. I called the bar hoping to talk to Dave, but was able to get his son on the phone. I asked about the banners and received a paranoid reply of “Who’s this?” I guess the press and LGBT groups have been on them. He confirmed the Sheeran family still owned the bar he but wouldn’t give details on who the new management was, further confirming my initial assumption. I asked about the conversion into a lounge and he insisted, “This is not a lounge it’s only a bar.” So as the song goes, “Meet the new boss, Same as the old boss.”

After the jump more updates and the sad closing of two old New York bars..

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Who doesn’t like an all day happy hour? I walked by Breeze Thai-French Kitchen this week and was intrigued by their drink specials that run all day. From 11AM to 11PM they offer $2 shots, $3 beers and $5 house well drinks at the bar. I love a good deal that I can catch at any time!

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Image provided by Blondie

For the second year in a row Halloween falls on a weekend. Manhattan is certainly a destination for Halloween revelry and many will be coming to see the Village Parade, but what if you are stuck in Midtown? You’d be surprised to know there are many places to go and enjoy the weekend long festivities. So grab a drink after work and check out these local hangouts offering libations and ghoulish good times.

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If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

Mercury Bar isn’t terribly noticeable when compared to the other watering holes on 9th Avenue. It always seems a bit dark from the outside but once you come inside the ample, black naugahyde booths, cocktail tables and enormous bar reveal a lounge with many possibilities. I stopped in this week for a beer and to give you all a look inside.

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If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

The Irish Rogue has been around for a good 7 years now on W 44th Street (btw. 8/9th ave) tucked away on the small unassuming block where Dykes Lumber resides and right next to old Bull Moose. Yet, it wasn’t until both pubs renovated their façade did I really notice the Rogue. The bright blue neon sign caught my eye, and when I saw their happy hour that runs from 11am to 12am I was drawn in like a moth to the flame. It was time for Mamacita to go rogue!!

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If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

In addition to possessing a bounty of great bars with free snacks, 9th avenue is also home to the endlessly expanding Thai empire known as Yum Yum. What was once a single eatery has expanded to become Yum Yum 1, 2 and 3 –it’s tentacles spreading like an octopus between 45th Street to 46th Street (not that there is anything wrong with that…mmmm grilled octopus.) When I learned that along with tasty Thai they had food and drink specials I had to check them out.
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f you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

I’ve often passed Hibernia Bar and Grill and noticed the bustling of people and the hum of conversations that seem to lend to a comfortable friendly atmosphere. With the end of warm summer days upon us, I felt it was time I took advantage of their sidewalk patio while I still could to sample their daily food and drink specials. That’s right people, hit up those roof decks, patios and beer gardens while you still can!

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If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

In my wanderings around midtown recently I ran across Blarney Rock Pub. This easily confused lush initially thought, “Hey it’s another Blarney Stone!” Then I got a hold of myself and realized, “oh wait, this is Rock not Stone.” Established in 1969, Blarney Rock is very different than its similarly named pub on the eastside. This Blarney is more of a local sports bar then a greasy griddle dive for aging alcoholics and OTB aficionados. Unlike Blarney Stone and its cafeteria like seating, this pub is more open with a long dark wood bar and plenty of stool seating. TV screens abound and this is a fine place to go to watch a Rangers game or the Knick’s –if you are feeling especially masochistic. The sign outside reads, “Good food, good drink, low low prices.” How could I resist.

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If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

The Australian (20 W. 38th st btw. 5/6th) was one of the first happy hours that ML reviewed and Zach gave a thumbs up to the meat pie offered on their $8 lunch specials. If you have been meaning to check them out then today would be the day. The Australian celebrates its 3rd year with a birthday bash tonight! To liven things up the theme of the party is Bogan. What’s a Bogan? As far as I can tell the closest American equivalent is the term White Trash. So yeah, dress up as some lower class Aussie and win a prize. They will have free Bronzed Aussie beer and Jacobs Creek Wine from 7pm for an hour. Australian’s happy hour is a beaut with $4 beers and a bar food menu that is ‘down under’ $6 dollars. Happy birthday Australian, good on ya, mate!

The Australian, 20 W. 38th St. (btw. 5/6th ave), (212)869-8601

If you like to eat, chances are you like to drink (read: a lot of you are freakin’ lushes), so every week our Happy Hour Correspondent “Mamacita” will post about a different bar in Midtown that fits the Midtown Lunch mentality: unhealthy food, not lame (unless it’s lame in a cool way), and most importantly… cheap.

Ever heard of a bar called Hickey’s? No? It’s not a seedy pick up joint for promiscuous playboys, quite the opposite in fact. Hickey’s happens to be a 43 year old pub that has managed to be one of the few dive bars in midtown that has yet to be overtaken with hipsters and pretentious martini sippers looking for an ironic new hangout. Hickey’s has no “scene” and is not the place to take a group of friends to party… most come here to forget. It is a hide away and a distraction. The walls are lined with portraits of pugilists, baseball players and Rangers hockey memorabilia. Hickey’s is a haven from the bright bustling crowds of Broadway for the cirrhosis addled looking for a drink.

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